On August 8, 2006 Mav developed a hard knobby swelling
on his front right leg. This is a common symptom of Lyme disease
in dogs, and his blood test was
positive for Lyme so we began a 20 day course of
Doxcycline (500mg per day for a 100lb dog).

While Mav coincidentally had Lyme disease, the swelling in his leg did
not improve and after the leg was x-rayed, he
was found to have
osteosarcoma of the distal radius.
Further xrays and blood tests showed that the
cancer had not yet spread to the lungs. Our options were
limited. It was not possible to save the leg, and the brittle
bone was in danger of breaking spontaneously.
We opted to have the affected limb amputated on August 30, 2006.
This left a large wound for a couple of weeks, but it healed completely
and Mav was up and around in a few days.

After some debate we decided to have Mav undergo
chemotherapy. Our research indicated that chemotherapy for dogs
does not have as severe side affects as that for humans. Dogs do not
loose their hair, nor do they appear to feel ill from the treatment
for more than a few hours immediately after a dose.
Mav received
three treatments (450mg carboplatin) administered on Sept 21, Oct 18, and
November 16. Chest x-rays taken on November 16 indicated a small
spot on his lungs, possible metastasis of the cancer, but the spot was
too small for our oncologist to make a definitive diagnosis.

Chemo was a shot in the dark. Without it, the bone cancer would
almost certainly spread and Mav would be dead in 3-4 months. With
chemo, maybe he would have another year or even two. I didn't
much like the experience with the oncologist, who was too occupied with
testing and diagnostics, and didn't let me stay with the dog during
treatment. However, Mav didn't show much discomfort from the chemo,
and given the decision to do it again, we probably would do the same.
The amputation on the other hand, clearly relieved his pain, and made
it possible for Mav to get around on his own and continue having
an active life.

Maveric as a three-legged dog has seemed happy and healthy (except for
the obvious missing limb). He still enjoys walks in the woods and
can even run for short distances. On March 10, 2007 he accompanied
us to hide a
geocache in Whippoorwill Park.

The end came on very suddenly. Early xrays had shown a spot
on his sacrum back in September, but we didn't give it much thought
at the time. On Wednesday, Mav started having trouble getting up
on the couch and navigating the stairs. By Thursday he had a
pronounced limp, and by Friday morning he was dragging one of his hind legs.
The paralysis spread quickly and by Saturday he was unable to use
the rear half of his body. Recognizing that the cancer had
spread to his spine, we saw no choice but to say goodbye. RIP March 17, 2007.